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League touts county change Commissioners don�t like proposal By Dani Dodge The League of Women Voters will continue to push for a major change in the structure of county government � a change the Jackson County Board of Commissioners doesn�t want. The League wants an amendment to the county�s charter that would increase the number of board members and separate the county�s administrative and legislative duties. "The way we look at it, the average citizen is very competent to make policy decisions," said Jean Milgram, president of the Rogue Valley League of Women Voters. "But when it comes to administering laws, you need professional people. It seems obvious to me." Each of the board�s three members works full-time and earns a salary of $58,000 a year. In the county charter, they have both legislative and administrative duties. Legislative duties include such things as holding public hearings and creating county policy. Administrative duties include the county�s day-to-day operations � for instance, commissioners oversee county departments and policy. The Rogue Valley and Ashland leagues studied the county�s structure for four years before deciding that it was time to change. They will propose a five-member nonpartisan board to oversee the county. Four members would be elected by district and the fifth would be elected by the entire county. The fifth commissioner, the board chairman, would be the only one who works full-time, earning a salary and benefits. The others would be paid a stipend and would not be eligible for county benefits. They would serve four-year terms. Under the proposal, commissioners could only get a raise if they voted for it before a general election. The pay raise would take effect after the election. "We think it (the new county structure) would save money," Milgram said. "And when you set up professional administrators, you can set up requirements for background and knowledge. You can�t do that for elected officials." League members will decide in two weeks whether to ask the commissioners to put the issue on the ballot. Otherwise they will begin gathering signatures for a May 2002 ballot initiative. County commissioners have already made it clear they don�t believe the change is necessary. At a January goal-setting session, county commissioners listed their first priority as educating the public about their jobs and the necessity of having three full-time commissioners. "I don�t question the right of people to examine the government, but if they do, they have to give people a reason for doing it," said Commissioner Sue Kupillas. "This would just strengthen the bureaucracy. Why would that benefit voters?" And Kupillas said she doesn�t believe the change would save money. For instance, the county recently got a good interest rate on library bonds because of the stability of the county�s elected officials and their ability to save for a rainy day. "That�s a tangible benefit that saved the taxpayers $1.2 million," Kupillas said. The League plans to hold meetings to talk to the community about the county commission. They also plan to hold forums on television to discuss the issues. Reach reporter Dani Dodge at 776-4471, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.